It's a good idea to keep tabs on the condition of your roof no matter how old it is, but when your roof is near the end of its expected lifespan, you want to watch for signs of damage and leaking so the roof can be repaired or replaced in a timely manner. Here are some ways to check the condition of your roof without having to climb up a ladder and walk around on the deck.
Check The Roof While It's Raining
You don't have to stand in the rain to check your roof, you can check it from the underside by going in the attic when it's raining hard. You may notice water dripping in the attic during a heavy rain. You might also see signs of previous water damage or smell a musty odor that signals dampness. If you suspect rain is getting in your attic or if you can actually see it dripping, call a roofer to do an inspection and make repairs.
Another thing to check when it's raining is the functioning of your gutters. The gutters protect the roof and if they aren't working, then there might be roof damage as a result. Notice if rain flows through the gutters and comes out the downspout like it should. If rain falls over the side or gets backed up under the roof, then the gutters should be cleaned out. You may also want a roofer to take a look at where the water was being forced under the roof to see if there is any water damage that needs to be repaired.
Check For Loose Shingles When It's Windy
Loose shingles can be difficult to spot from the ground when they are resting in place on the roof. However, you can stand back and watch your roof on a windy day when it isn't raining and look for shingles that lift slightly or flap around. Loose shingles should be repaired or replaced right away because they can allow rain to get the deck wet and leak into the attic.
Examine The Edge Of The Roof For Curling
You can probably see the lower row of shingles from the ground. Check these for signs of curling and other damage. This can give you a clue to the overall condition of the shingles elsewhere on the roof that you can't see. Also, look for granules on the ground near your foundation or around the downspout where rain comes out. A loss of granules is a sign of an old roof and it could mean the roof needs to be replaced soon. Another way to tell if there is granule loss is to stand back and look over your roof for areas of dark, bald spots. Compare how your roof looks with newer roofs on your neighbors' homes. When the surface of your roof looks worn out due to granule loss, it's time to have it inspected by a roofer to get a timeline for how soon your roof should be replaced.
One day when we were all sitting in our living room, I thought I felt a drop of water fall onto my arm. At first, I figured it was my imagination, but when the second one fell, I knew we had an issue. Although it wasn't raining that day, it had rained the day before, so I started looking for the source of the problem. After looking in my attic, I could tell what the problem was, and I knew I had to fix it. I started looking for ways to stop the water immediately, but it just wasn't working for me. Fortunately, roofers came out, fixed the problem, and showed me what I needed to do to clean up the mess. Read more on this blog.